Waterfall Road Trip Guide for Better Detours

A great waterfall can make any gas stop into a story people will pass along for years. But more often than not, the best falls aren’t right off the interstate with a sign and empty parking lot. They might be at the end of a road into the woods, at the end of a short, muddy trail or far enough off the road that you’d have to intend to head there. This guide to waterfalls on the road can help you plan such a detour. That way, instead of fighting daylight at the end of the day, travelers will have time for discovery.

Start with a route, not a waterfall wish list

Often, travelers will spot a great waterfall and mentally file it away for later. Then the route will zig, it will zag, and a carful of people will start asking why the drive is three hours to the next stop. Pick a starting point and an ending point for the trip. Decide how many days to spend on the road and what kind of driving is desired. Then pick waterfalls that would work along the route.

A good day at waterfalls tends to have a pattern. Maybe one big, famous waterfall to spend a few hours at. One or two small falls along the way to break up the drive. And maybe a campground, town or overlook that adds some flavor to the day.

In the Smokies, for example, travelers could pick a few waterfalls near Asheville or Gatlinburg, rather than hitting every trail in the park. In the Pacific Northwest, a trip could combine a few views of the Columbia River Gorge with a stay in Hood River.

Think about how long it would take to reach a waterfall, hike to it, take some pictures, use the bathroom and, more importantly, sit and watch the water for a while. Don’t let a waterfall labeled “quick stop” fool anyone. It could easily take 90 minutes to drive from the highway, hike to and back from the falls.

Choose waterfalls that match your travel style

Roadtrippers can add waterfalls, campgrounds, diners, overlooks and odd roadside attractions to one map. Best road trips include the odd and the wondrous between one trailhead and the next and between one place to sleep and another. Not all waterfalls require a long hike. And not all travelers want one.

A family with young children, a couple driving a low-clearance sedan, a motorcyclist checking the weather and a crew in an RV all want different experiences of a waterfall. Check out falls with boardwalks, paved trails, parking nearby and overlooks. They could be good stops on a travel day.

For easy access and family stops

Here, nobody has to break out their hiking boots. And a traveler could get a good photo. Often, these places get busy, particularly on holidays, in summer and on weekends. If travelers head out before 9 a.m., they will likely find parking, a less crowded trail and better light for photography.

For hikers who want the payoff

With a longer trail, hikers might get a less crowded waterfall and a better sense of the place. Check conditions at the waterfall before heading out. A two-mile trail with 800 feet of elevation gain, stream crossings, roots and rocks is nothing like a two-mile stroll on gravel. Find out if the trail is a loop or out-and-back; if dogs are welcome; if reservations or permits are required.

For RVs and larger vehicles

With a little prep work, a driver could save a lot of trouble. Many waterfall trailheads were designed for cars. Often they have low branches, tight turnaround points, limited parking and narrow roads.

Don’t take a motorhome up an uncertain road to a waterfall. Instead, park in a day-use area or campground near the trailhead. Then drive, bike, take a shuttle or join a local tour to the falls.

Check the grade of the road, whether it’s closed in certain seasons and whether it’s really a scenic byway or one the rig could handle. Never take a white-knuckle chance on a waterfall.

Time your trip for water, weather, and crowds

Waterfalls vary throughout the year. In spring, melting snow can turn a curtain of water into a roaring spectacle. But it brings muddy trails, icy crossings of the creek and road closures in the mountains. In summer, more places become accessible. But many waterfalls may be nothing more than a trickle and parking areas up at the falls will fill up quickly.

Often in fall a traveler could combine waterfalls with fall color in the Upper Midwest and in the Appalachians. But then there would be shorter days and more crowds on the weekend when the leaves are at their peak. In winter a visitor could see striking ice at some waterfalls and peaceful views of them. But watch for closed facilities, chain controls and slippery trails.

Look at up-to-date reports on a waterfall a day or so before going, not just at the time of planning the trip. Conditions can change quickly after a storm, heat wave, wildfire or early snow.

Build realistic waterfall days

If a waterfall is the highlight of the day, plan another waterfall nearby. Part of good trip planning is building in flexibility. That doesn’t mean the plan didn’t work. Too often people treat a waterfall as a pin on the map, rather than as an experience.

In a day of sightseeing, two good waterfall hikes might be enough. Three or four would be fine if the route is short and access is good. But more than that tends to mean more parking lots than memories.

Pick a trailhead near the campsite or hotel for the last waterfall of the day. (Especially if the sun sets early.) Pick the most wanted waterfall first. Then build in more flexible ones later in the day. Pick up lunch somewhere along the route. Don’t count on trail mix for lunch.

Use these simple rules as you shape each day:

Allow time for construction, traffic, wildlife and those tempting brown signs about local history.

If doing a multi-day trip, try not to change the campsite or hotel each night. Two nights at some place with lots of waterfalls would give a better chance of making it to at least one waterfall if the weather doesn’t cooperate. And it lets a hiker hit trails without packing the vehicle before breakfast.

Pack for the trailhead, not just the highway

A bag of snacks, sunglasses and water isn’t going to cut it in waterfall country. Even short trails may be cold, wet, uneven and exposed to the elements. Instead of stashing a day kit in the luggage, keep it handy.

Take water, snacks, a first-aid kit, sun protection, rain layers and shoes with good traction. Add a small towel for muddy post-hike shoes, dry socks and a trash bag. And consider a battery pack for the phone. But don’t count on having service at the trailhead. Before heading into remote park areas, mountain roads or canyons, save important information and maps from the phone.

And don’t leave the phone or camera unguarded at a waterfall. Mist can travel far from the big falls. And rocks near the falls can be very slippery. Stay behind any barriers, keep an eye on the kids and don’t climb up on rocks to get a better view. A photo isn’t worth a call to rescue the photographer.

Respect the place that made the detour worthwhile

People are drawn to waterfalls because they seem wild, even when they’re right next to the road. Help preserve that feeling. Stick to marked trails, take out all the food brought in, and don’t climb into closed areas, carve trees, stack rocks, carve trees, or scramble into closed areas. Such shortcuts erode the trail, damage plants and could put a person in dangerous water.

And if a visitor wants to swim in a waterfall, check the water first. Even on a hot day, it could be colder and more powerful than it looks. And there’s always a risk of flash flooding. If storms are building upstream or an alert is received from authorities, head out of narrow canyons and creek beds.

A good road trip through waterfalls isn’t about filling up the map with as many pins as possible. It’s about choosing falls along the route, time to listen to the water and surprises along the drive. Leave an afternoon on the trip. When passing an interesting detour, take it. And leave a bit of space on the map for the next cascade.